You made a resolution. Or two or three. Maybe you had a touch too much Champagne when you came up with them but now that we’re a few days past the revelry and euphoria about starting anew in 2013, it’s time to get down to business. We have some tips to keeping some of those New Year’s Resolutions like getting to the gym and eating right!

Get real.

Make sure your goals are actually attainable. Telling yourself you’re going to get to the gym every day when you haven’t been for ten years probably won’t cut it. Start small, achieve big. Really think about your lifestyle. Cutting out all “bad foods” might not be realistic. Allow yourself your favorite indulgences, but in moderation and as a reward for not picking up that cigarette or for taking a 30 minute walk at work. You’ll set yourself up for success!

Make a plan.

You made those vows quickly but now it’s time to make a plan. How will you handle the devil on your shoulder when he or she tempts you to have another piece of cake or skip the gym because Real Housewives of New Jersey is on TV? You might want to make a pact with a friend and call them when temptation hits or practice a mantra that supports your new goals.

Keep Track

Setting smaller goals will help you achieve them but you also need to keep track. Focus on losing that first 5 pounds rather than the 40 you blurted out on New Year’s Eve. Make a chart of what you are eating which really helps with losing weight. Cut 5 sodas a week to 1 and cross them off the chart. Days without a smoke can be charted too. How good will that feel when you’ve crossed off 365 days!

Make a list, check it daily.

Better, yet, make a poster. Put a “pro” and “con” list up on your wall in the kitchen, the boudoir and at work to remind yourself about your goals. You can even get other folks to help add to it to give you more ideas about why it’s great to quit smoking (your taste buds will come back), or get fit (more energy in that boudoir, perhaps? ). Look at it to help keep your motivation going.

Make it public.

Resolutions should not be a secret. Sing out loud and proud about your goals because that way you’ll get support from family and friends. It’ll keep you “honest” too. You don’t want folks saying, “Hey what about that resolution?” all the time.

The Reward System.

Remember the stars you got when you did well in elementary school? Well think up the grown-up equivalent of those stars. Lose five pounds, go to the movies. Finish that novel finally, take a dream trip (even if it’s to a favorite restaurant nearby). Make up a chart that says, “If I (insert goal here), then I get (insert wonderful reward here)”

It’s ok to slip

Don’t berate yourself if you don’t achieve a goal, just get back on the horse and ride like the wind once again. You’ll get the hang of it. Just keep trying and start over if you slip. Resolve to make your life changes a year ‘round goal!

At Limelight Deals, we have plenty of ways to help you keep your resolutions like gym memberships, deals for wonderful restaurants with healthy food, for outdoor activities and for businesses that will help you spend more time with family and friends!

In your 20′s if you asked the host/ess of a party if you could “bring anything” you were probably asked to bring a six-pack or a bottle of tequila and chips. Other guests brought similar items. Things were simple then -before the hostess gift stage of life. Ah, passages. Now that you’re older, it’s customary to bring something to a gathering or party even without being asked. It’s called the “Hostess Gift” a term used back in the days when yes, indeed, women were the homemakers. Now anyone can be the Host (ess).

So, what are the rules, the etiquette of the Hostess Gift, especially during the holidays when open houses and parties are rampant?

Bringing food

Your host/ess probably has the whole party or dinner orchestrated and is very proud of that and wants to create this whole wonderful project themselves, so don’t bring anything to make them feel they would have to open it up and serve right then. They’ve got a theme, a strategy, and if you show up with a slice of brie and say “Here, why don’t you put this on the hors d’oeuvres table” which you have now realized is all laid out like some work of art, then you have messed with the universe.

Bringing wine

So, no food to be eaten right then without prior arrangement should be brought. But what about wine? Maybe. Under certain conditions. Don’t bring wine to a planned wine and cheese tasting/pairing party – those are definitely orchestrated.

In a dinner party situation if you bring wine as a gift don’t expect to drink it. It is considered a gift (unless otherwise arranged for immediate consumption). Your host/ess has probably planned that part too, and you don’t want to put them in the position of having to serve a wine that may not go with the dinner.
Guests should oooh and ahhh over the host/ess’ wine selection, not yours, no matter how big of a cork dork you may be. Just say something like “I’ve chosen this for your cellar, it’s quite drinkable now, but will be even better in a few months or years.” If your host wants to pour the wine you brought, don’t try to stop them.

You can also call ahead to see if your wine will go with whatever they’re serving, or even the mood of the party. If the party is casual taco night with sangria don’t show up with that bottle of Opus One. In general it’s best not to get involved with the menu planning. And it’s fun letting the experience the host/ess has planned take you on a journey.

How much and what else?

So what do you bring and how much should you pay? Is that what Hostess Twinkies are for? Sadly, no.
If you don’t know the host/ess well, bring a box of good quality truffles, or cool wine charms you use to ID your own glass. Flowers are fine, but don’t make the host/ess have to go around hunting for a vase. Give a decorative candle or some spiced tea. If your host/ess is into wine then some of those pretty wine stoppers are nice. Fancy napkins are fun; just be sure they’re tasteful.

Bring a bakery item and tell them it’s for the next day (again-no pressure to eat it after dinner) or a bottle of fancy olive oil or vinegar if the host/ess is a cook. Interesting salt and pepper shakers are nice too. A potted plant is good. Or a nice picture frame if your host/ess is a photo bug. And always attach a card.
In the normal flow of this dance, hand the nicely wrapped gift to the host/ess, who thanks you and quickly whisks it out of the way so as not to embarrass those who have not brought a gift.

And if the host/ess does open the gift at the party, they should do it in the gifter’s presence but not in the presence of the other guests. So says Elizabeth L. Post, granddaughter-in-law of the legendary Emily Post.
As for cost – usually under $20, but you can certainly find really appropriate lovely and fun items in all our local shops at any price, even just $5. Be sure to keep checking out our Limelight Deals each day because we have deals on many things that would make terrific host/ess gifts like treats and items for the home, or deals for shops where you can pick out the perfect item for your wonderful host or hostess. That brings the cost down too, especially during our 12 Days of Holiday Deals! Enter here to win an iPad Mini (which you should definitely NOT give as a Host/ess Gift).

Just for fun, keep an eye out for the “recycled hostess gift,” especially if you go to these sorts of parties and see the same circle of people. It’s funny to see a gift you’ve given to one host/ess in the hands of another and in the same wrapper months later.

Somewhere in your home is an object made by a kid in your life. It was presented with such pride and such a widely beaming smile that it brought tears to your eyes! You have that picture of a turkey made from the tracing of a little hand or a coffee mug, painted and glazed with the “signature” of a budding Rodin underneath. Maybe it was a poem printed on a slab of stained wood. Getting a handmade, artisan gift is something we always look forward to, whether it’s made by a child, a grown up you know or a talented artist or crafts person you don’t know. That’s why taking the time to find artisan, handmade gifts and giving them to those you care about this holiday season is one of the best ways you can say, “ I really care.”

Now, if you don’t make arts and crafts yourself, it’s ok to be an admirer of handmade art, jewelry and more. It’s always so much more interesting than cookie cutter objects d’arte. Find locally made arts and crafts at the many holiday craft shows in your area or try the local arts association which usually holds special gallery nights for artists and art lovers.

World crafts are popular now too. Finding a unique gift from somewhere faraway can be a great conversation piece whether it’s something you wear, or something that adorns the home. Another trend this year are gifts for foodies. Make your own beer, Kombucha tea and even cheese with easy-to-use kits. Find exotic salts and syrups hand harvested and crafted for a chef’s repertoire.

You can shop online as well for handcrafted gifts at many artisan shops. Try the online artisan community atwww.Etsy.com, where artists from many countries offer their crafts and art for sale. You’ll find out all about the artist and give something that has a history and a unique origin. There, you can find something for any budget.

Cutique.com has many handmade gifts including toys, clothing and bath and body products all made by artisans.Artfire.com is another great source. They even have a special Christmas shopping section with plenty of supplies to help folks decorate their homes. You’ll find vintage items and fine art too. At Novica.com, World goods are offered. Working in association with National Geographic, this company gives loans to artisans to make their crafts. You’ll find jewelry, clothing, even musical instruments from all over the world as well as tableware, paintings and linens, each unique.

On Fab.com, you’ll find many unique items and while many are not strictly handmade, they come out of the minds of some very creative artists and craftspeople. Find innovative and modern kitchen gear, vintage objects turned mod and jewelry like you’ve never seen before.

Keep an eye out for Limelight Deals featuring handmade or do-it-yourself gifts, too. Our 12 Days of Deals begins on November 29 and you’ll find gifts for everyone on your list. You get to shop locally and get something unique and beautiful for everyone on your list. We have plenty of pottery and jewelry making classes, home brew supply gifts and even events where you can find art and gorgeous objects made by the talented artists right in your own home town!

When you look at your holiday gift list, try to think of gifts you can get locally to put next to the names of all your family and friends. When you Buy Local, you support the people in your own community who are working to ensure we all live in a better place. When you buy food at the local Farmers’ Market, you know that will help us have great fresh food all year long, for decades to come. When you go to your local bookstore and peruse the rows of Fiction, Poetry, Non-Fiction and Cookbooks, then buy a few books and get them wrapped for under the tree, you’re helping to make sure independent bookstores stay open. When you dine at a restaurant that’s been in the community for 30 years, you help ensure that your favorite spot will be around for another 30 years. Buying Local helps and enriches us all.

At Limelight Deals, we’re all about Local. We bring you deals from businesses right in your community, owned by people you know–your friends, family and neighbors. We talk with them to find out just what’s important about their business–the things they want you to know–and when we create the deal that you read and buy from, you know that we listened to that business owner to find out what they’re all about and thought about what’s important to you, too. After all, Limelight Deals comes to you from your local newspaper company, San Joaquin Media Group, and making sure our local businesses are successful is very, very important to us.

When you buy local this holiday season, you’ll help the Stockton area thrive and that’s why we’re dedicated to bringing you deals from businesses right in your community, staffed by your family and friends. Make that list, check it twice and Shop Local this season!

Let’s get rid of those two back there and get out and dance, huh, Babs?

At Limelight Deals., we want to encourage you to start thinking about the holidays as soon as possible, not because we just want you to buy, buy, buy all of our great deals at 50% to 90% off and give them as gifts , but because we want you to be able to get through that holiday gift list early so you can just relax. Go to the spa, get your nails done, or do some winter golfing. You might even want to go to a fine local restaurant, one you got a Limelight Deal for, and chat up the cute bartender as you sip a martini. You ladies will probably wear the jewelry you got with a Limelight Deal to accent that cute little black dress you bought at half off with a Limelight Deal. You’ll want to show off the new hair style you got with a Limelight Deal and that rockin’ new body you got from working out in the gym you got with a Limelight Deal.

Oh, did you get laser hair removal with a Limelight Deal and a chemical peel, too? Well, you look about ten years younger so go ahead and talk up that 30-something dude at the end of the bar. Go for it. Who knows, we have deals on engagement rings sometimes and flowers for your wedding. Or maybe just a deal on a hotel room. Let’s just take it slowly.

Yes, use Limelight Deals to get your holiday gift list all taken care of early, then give yourself the gift of a night on the town and more with all the money you saved.

You have a three day weekend to prepare for Back to School (some of those kids have already started, huh?) and after that it’s YOU time. With the kids out all day instead of raiding the fridge, tramping in mud and throwing laundry all over, you have more time for you. And your sweetheart. Now, more than ever, it’s time to gear up for the new year with great deals on the things YOU love to do. And that means Limelight Deals.

Right now, we have lots of great restaurant deals for when you go out with the gang for lunch or take a break with the sweetheart after a long work week. Get a deal on a catered lunch for 10, Cuban fare, and dance or gymnastics classes for the little ones. Look for more deals for 50-90% off on massages, salon services and of course, gift ideas for the holidays. You deserve your YOU time and Limelight Deals has the way to make the most of it!

Yes, it’s the 1st Anniversary of Limelight Deals! It’s hard to believe that just a year ago on Thursday, August 23 we started off with a bang and our amazing deal for terrific food at Iguana Wanna! And the hits just kept on coming. We’ve found out so many things about what you like to buy at 50-90% off and what deals we need to send you. We do know you loved the deal for Delta Bistro—what a lovely location! You like ice cream too–we had quite a few great deals for cones and cups. You loved going to Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant too and we got to give you three deals for that fave.

Stockton-Con is on August 5th and we have a great Limelight Deal with admission just $4! You’ll find everything comic, game, action figure, video game, cards, anime, manga, science fiction, toy, television and movie celebrated! Browse all of Stockton-Con’s super cool booths, get special previews of outstanding artists in the San Joaquin Valley area, as well as an all ages art contest, Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments and a slew of surprise special guests. All ticket proceeds are going toward St. Mary’s Dining Room and the United Way, which is fantastic. But do you know about the history of comics? In America, it’s a long and colorful one!

The first comic book came out in 1933 with Famous Funnies and in America we still have the most titles followed by Japan and England. There are five eras of the classic comic in the U.S. –Platinum(before Superman) , Golden, Silver, Bronze and Modern.

The Golden Age saw the first appearance of the superhero followed by Silver with comics like Flash. The age lasted until about the early 70s and brought us artists like Stan Lee and characters like Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four.

Conan came in the Bronze Age along with the Green Lantern. Then the Copper Age in the 80s to 2000 or so brought us Watchman and more modern comics. Now, we have alternative comics and graphic novels to round out the genre, card and role playing games and so much more. You can find out all about comics and meet the artists who create them at Stockton-Con!

We know what you like! Limelight Deals is helping business and consumers alike right in Stockton and beyond. Read this great article about our wildly successful Daily Deals product! And now, let’s get to summer fun!

School is indeed out for summer and that means spending more time with family and friends doing all those activities you love. Take a trip to the beach, sign up for a rafting ride, or just hang out in the backyard on the hammock sipping a Mai Tai and reading something just a little bit trashy. It’s the Year of the Staycation and Limelight Deals has all the savings you need to make the most of your time off.

Get fabulous food at restaurants for 50-90% off, save on golf and that rafting trip and have a leisurely picnic at a local winery. Get the kids to an amusement park or a great summer camp. Primp your garden with supplies from a local gardens shop and be sure to indulge in plenty of ice cream! We even have a deal right now for tickets to Stockton-Con, the area’s first Comics Convention!

Just check into Limelight Deals each day to get more ideas for how to make the most of your summer Staycation!

Yes, that’s Jim Anderson from Father Knows Best up there. He’s adored by his wonderful family. There are many great fathers in TV history–Mike Brady, Dr. Heathcliffe Huxtable, Ward Cleaver and Homer Simpson to name just a few.

Father’s Day has been around nearly as long as Mother’s Day and this year, it’s time to make just a big of a fuss as you did for Mom. Dad doesn’t need flowers, but he sure would like something he can really use, something he needs…like a massage, a car tune up and oil change, time off from mowing the lawn, a night out at a sports bar or some great new clothes. All of this and more can be found at Limelight Deals for 50-90% off from now until June 17 and beyond. Get thinking about his big day now…he does know best and deserves some pampering! Find all those Limelight Deals right here in the weeks to come!